Background ⁄ Aims: The aim of this study was to assess gait characteristics during simple and dual task in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and compare them with those of healthy elderly ... [more ▼]

Background ⁄ Aims: The aim of this study was to assess gait characteristics during simple and dual task in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and compare them with those of healthy elderly subjects and mild Alzheimer s disease (AD) patients. Methods: We proposed a gait analysis to appreciate walking (simple task and dual task) in 14 MCI, 14 controls and six AD subjects who walked at their preferred speed. A 20-second period of stabilized walking was used to calculated stride frequency, stride length, symmetry and regularity. Speed walking was measured by electrical photocells. Results: Variables measured during simple and dual tasks showed an alteration of motor function as well in mild AD patients as in MCI patients. Conclusion: At the end of this preliminary study, we defined a specific gait pattern for each cognitive profile. Further researches appear necessary to enlarge the study cohort. [less ▲]

Falls are frequent in the elderly and are responsible for an increased morbi-mortality. The elderly who has a tendency to fall is at higher risk of repeated hospitalisation and of institutionalisation. A ... [more ▼]

Falls are frequent in the elderly and are responsible for an increased morbi-mortality. The elderly who has a tendency to fall is at higher risk of repeated hospitalisation and of institutionalisation. A link between cognitive and gait disorders is put forward by several recent studies. This paper is concerned with the various gait abnormalities encountered in the elderly, especially seriale gait, and the means to detect them. [less ▲]